Housing (Renters)

passed · Connecticut · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 339: AN ACT ALLOWING LONG-TERM RENTAL OF BEDROOMS IN A SINGLE-FAMILY HOME AS OF RIGHT.

This bill allows homeowners to rent up to three bedrooms in their single-family home for six months or longer without needing special municipal approval. It directly affects single-family homeowners (who can rent bedrooms without permits) and municipalities (which can no longer ban such rentals through zoning rules). The key mechanism amends zoning laws to prohibit local bans on this rental type, making it "as of right" (meaning no special permit is required). This applies only to owner-occupants living in the home, not absentee landlords.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves zoning barriers for homeowners to rent bedrooms, increasing housing supply without municipal approval, directly advancing affordable housing access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Zoning

Track

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 5261: AN ACT PERMITTING MUNICIPALITIES TO PROHIBIT RENT INCREASES IN THE EVENT OF MULTIPLE STATE BUILDING CODE VIOLATIONS.

HB 5261 allows municipalities to ban rent increases for residential rental units that have two or more outstanding violations of local health/safety ordinances or the State Building Code. The bill requires municipalities to pass a local ordinance through their legislative body to implement this restriction, which remains in effect until the building violations are fixed. It directly affects landlords of affected properties and provides tenants with protection from rent hikes during unsafe living conditions. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies to all residential units defined under state law.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents rent hikes during unsafe housing violations, directly protecting tenants from exploitation in unsafe living conditions per bill's intent.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

Track

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 253: AN ACT REPEALING SECURITY DEPOSIT MAXIMUMS.

SB 253 repeals existing limits on security deposit amounts for residential rentals in the state. It removes the previous rule that capped deposits at two months' rent for tenants under 62 and one month's rent for tenants 62 or older. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, and no longer restricts how much landlords may charge as a security deposit. This directly affects landlords and tenants in residential rental properties, as landlords can now set deposit amounts without statutory limits. The bill focuses solely on eliminating these maximums, not on other security deposit procedures like return timelines or interest requirements.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingRepeals security deposit caps protecting tenants, allowing unlimited deposits which increases financial burden and weakens tenant protections without advancing affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

Track

signed · Connecticut · Senate Jun 4, 2026

SB 335: AN ACT CONCERNING UTILITY CHARGES FOR RESIDENTIAL DWELLING UNITS.

SB 335 prohibits landlords from charging tenants extra for utilities (like heat or electricity) if the rental unit lacks an individual meter for those services. It directly affects tenants in residential rental properties where utilities are included in rent but not separately metered. The bill amends rental agreement laws to make any clause requiring such payments unenforceable. Landlords must now charge only for utilities when a tenant has a dedicated meter, preventing "pass-through" fees for shared building systems. This takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents landlords from charging tenants extra utility fees without individual meters, directly strengthening tenant protections in rental housing affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 332: AN ACT CONCERNING NOTICE TO PARTIES BEFORE A FAIR RENT COMMISSION.

SB 332 requires fair rent commissions in municipalities (with populations of 15,000+ per census) to provide clear written notice to hearing participants about their rights and the commission’s authority before hearings begin, and to announce this at the start of each hearing. The bill mandates that the Commissioner of Housing create and publish model notice templates on the Department of Housing website for local commissions to use. This applies directly to landlords, tenants, and other parties involved in fair rent commission hearings, as well as the commissions themselves. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and focuses solely on improving procedural transparency.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates clear notice of rights in rent hearings, enhancing transparency for tenants and landlords, directly supporting tenant protections in housing disputes.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

Track

in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 5257: AN ACT PROHIBITING A LANDLORD FROM REQUIRING A SECURITY DEPOSIT IN EXCESS OF ONE MONTH'S RENT FROM ANY TENANT.

HB 5257 limits security deposits for residential renters to one month's rent, effective October 1, 2026. It directly affects all residential tenants and landlords in the state by prohibiting landlords from requiring deposits exceeding this amount. The bill also creates a security deposit guarantee program for low-income renters (earning 60% or less of the state median income) to cover up to one month's rent, prioritizing veterans and those with documented financial need. This replaces previous provisions that allowed higher deposits for some tenants and establishes a new administrative process for the guarantee program.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingLimits security deposits to one month's rent and creates a low-income tenant guarantee program, directly strengthening tenant protections and affordability.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill prioritizes veterans in security deposit guarantee program for low-income renters, directly advancing veteran financial support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

Track

in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 5230: AN ACT EXEMPTING INCOME OF UP TO ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS EARNED BY A CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF TWENTY-FOUR FROM INCLUSION IN THE PARENT'S GROSS INCOME FOR DETERMINATION OF THE PARENT'S ELIGIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

HB 5230 exempts up to $100,000 in annual earnings from children under 24 living with their parents from being counted toward the parent's gross income when determining eligibility for rental assistance programs. This change directly affects parents applying for rental aid who have adult children living at home and earning income. The bill amends housing statutes to require the Housing Commissioner to exclude this child income in eligibility calculations. It does not alter the total amount of rental assistance provided but adjusts how household income is assessed. The policy aims to prevent parents from being disqualified from assistance due to their child's earnings.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts child income from parent's eligibility calculation, increasing access to rental assistance programs for families with adult children.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters

Track

in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 5042: AN ACT PROTECTING RENTERS FROM RENT INCREASES UPON CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP.

HB 5042 prevents landlords from significantly raising rents when a rental property changes ownership within 12 months, unless major renovations were completed. If no major renovations occurred (defined as work on at least two primary building systems like plumbing or electrical), rent increases are capped at 5% or the annual consumer price index increase, whichever is higher. This directly affects renters in properties changing hands and landlords seeking to adjust rents after purchase. The bill amends existing rent control provisions to ensure rent hikes after ownership transfers are limited unless substantial improvements were made.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCaps rent increases upon ownership change without renovations, protecting tenants from sudden hikes. Directly strengthens tenant protections in housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

Track

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 333: AN ACT DEFINING ADVANCE RENTAL PAYMENTS.

SB 333 defines "advance rental payment" as a prepayment for rent not yet due (up to the remaining lease term), excluding security deposits. It sets security deposit limits at two months' rent for tenants under 62 and one month's rent for tenants 62 or older, requiring landlords to refund excess amounts when a tenant turns 62. The bill also prohibits landlords from charging application fees, move-in/move-out fees, or other pre-tenancy charges beyond security deposits, advance payments, key deposits, or tenant screening reports. These changes directly affect residential landlords and tenants in rental agreements across the state.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingSets security deposit limits protecting older tenants and bans excessive fees, strengthening tenant financial protections per bill's explicit terms.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

Track

in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 27, 2026

HB 5363: AN ACT CONCERNING THE INCOME THRESHOLD FOR TENANTS RENTING A DWELLING UNIT IN A SET-ASIDE DEVELOPMENT.

HB 5363 allows tenants in set-aside housing developments to continue renting at affordable rates for up to three years after their income temporarily exceeds the development's income thresholds (60% or 80% of median income), provided the development does not use federal low-income housing tax credits. This applies specifically to existing tenants who initially qualified under the 30% set-aside requirement for affordable units. The bill modifies existing rules to prevent sudden rent increases for qualifying tenants who experience short-term income growth, without changing the initial income eligibility criteria for new applicants.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents sudden rent increases for existing affordable housing tenants by allowing continued affordability after temporary income exceedance, strengthening tenant protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights

Track